Former WTA number one Iga Swiatek has returned to the court, but the emotional scars from her recent ordeal remain deeply embedded in her mind. Although the Polish WTA star successfully proved her innocence, a wave of criticism that followed afterward was  harsh. However, Swiatek survived against all odds. Reflecting on her return to the court, she spoke about her initial struggles with a troubled mindset and how, with the support of her team, she gradually found her rhythm. Swiatek’s revelation proved how a strong support system plays a vital role in a player’s journey.

Swiatek has finally spoken about her feelings on returning to the court after her doping troubles. The former WTA number one tested positive for Trimetazidine, a banned substance, which entered her body through contaminated melatonin. Swiatek was suspended from September 12 to October 4 for failing the doping trial. The Polish however argued that she didn’t know how the substance entered her system. Once her claim was proven, ITIA reduced the punishment. Despite that, Swiatek was impacted by the situation and she expressed her feelings on social media, “After finding the source, we needed time for the whole matter to be concluded. On September 12, I was provisionally suspended, making me unable to play the tournaments in Asia or defend my ranking, Clearly, it’s a consequence of this situation, but not the most important one for me. What mattered the most for me was to prove my innocence. Now that the whole thing is drawing to a close, I was put on a symbolic one-month suspension. 22 days are behind me, eight days still to go,” she said explaining her absence from the Asian swing.

Now, Swiatek is back at practice. She broke her silence about how she coped with her traumatized mindset on the first few days of the training. On returning to the court, she said, “A huge disappointment ( the contamination incident). At the start I thought it’s all happening to me because of tennis. So just to step out onto the court was painful. Actually, if it wasn’t for my sparring partner Tomasz Mroczek who at the beginning was setting up training sessions similar to those you would do for kids…just playing and having fun. then I don’t think I would come to the court at all.” Her words echoed her pain about a situation that was caused without her direct involvement yet it gave her unnecessary negative publicity and criticisms. At the same time, she also revealed how her supportive coach helped her come out of that mental barrier.

There have been some who have come in her support. And one of the supporters is voicing his support louder than other. Who is it? Former American ATP number one Andy Roddick. He explained the Polish player’s case taking a dig at the system. Roddick’s perspective gave voice to Iga’s innocence showcasing that the latter is truly a devoted tennis player.

Andy Roddick extended support for Iga Swiatek with a detailed take on her doping case

In a recent episode of Served with Andy Roddick, this former American player highlighted why Swiatek shouldn’t be criticized for her ordeal. “I can’t call it doping. Taking melatonin when you’re jetlagged at 2:30 in Cincinnati… It was just unfortunate for her,” said Roddick. He claimed that this doping failure was a separate incident, not a regular occurrence from Swiatek’s end. Rodick further added, “It just doesn’t make sense because the headlines and the morons in our sport are saying ‘doping!'” He meant that many players take melatonin for jet lags and Swiatek is not the only one consuming it.

Roddick also said, “You took melatonin? I took melatonin. Are we going to continue to catch athletes for trace amounts of the substance or contaminated melatonin that had no effect on increasing performance? What are we trying to solve with ITIA and WADA? Increasing performance. That’s what we want to stop. If all the scientists from independent organizations tell us that it doesn’t increase performance, then what the f**k do we care?” Roddick echoed sheer frustration highlighting the strict rules on athletes and how it impacts the player’s mental health.

Now Iga Swiatek must be looking forward to making a mage return in 2025. Do you think she can make it big in 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: